The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised serious alarms over widespread operational bottlenecks, crippling vacancy rates across national parole boards and historical failures in integrating victims into the parole consideration process.
The parliamentary watchdog group voiced these concerns following a briefing from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) regarding ongoing overhauls to South Africa’s national parole system.
Board Shortages
While legislative and policy progress was noted, committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng emphasised that systemic reforms must translate into tangible operational improvements on the ground.
Briefing data from September this year revealed severe staffing deficits across the country’s 52 established Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSPBs).
Currently, 17 chairperson positions (32.7%), 15 vice-chairperson positions (28.8%) and a staggering 41 community member positions (46.6%) remain completely vacant.
The committee flagged the lack of community representatives as a major risk, noting that these members provide vital perspectives on the areas where parolees will ultimately reintegrate.
Furthermore, deep regional imbalances plague the system. While the Western Cape has successfully filled all its leadership roles, regions like the Free State, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West face critical shortages.
Historical gaps
Notably, the Upington board has lacked a substantive chairperson since 2020. “DCS must ensure that positions are advertised timeously, particularly before existing contracts expire,” Ramolobeng stated, demanding that the department produce specific timelines to resolve localised board crises.
The committee expressed profound worry over historical gaps in victim participation.
Official data showed that 1 396 victims were left unconsulted during the 2019/20 period, rising to 2 033 in 2020/21, and sitting at 1 882 in 2021/22.
“These are not just statistics,” Ramolobeng cautioned.
“Behind every statistic is a victim or family that may have been excluded from a process that directly affects them.”
To counter this, a new Online Victim Registration Form will pilot later this year.
However, the committee insisted that digital platforms must not completely replace traditional, non-digital avenues accessible to vulnerable populations.
The committee also acknowledged the upcoming provision for 128 auxiliary social worker posts during the 2027 Medium-Term Economic Framework to assist with victim tracing and counselling, though it stressed that victims require urgent, immediate support. Looking forward, the committee welcomed the first draft of the Correctional Services Amendment Bill, which seeks to introduce full-time professionals – including psychologists, criminologists and legal experts – onto parole boards.
Awaiting timelines
Parliament is currently awaiting definitive timelines for the bill’s formal introduction.
Additionally, the committee warned that rolling out electronic monitoring systems must not become a mere procurement exercise. Ramolobeng noted that effective monitoring requires robust control rooms, stable bandwidth and seamless coordination with the police when alerts are triggered.
“Parole is not a right; it is a conditional placement option aimed at rehabilitation,” Ramolobeng concluded, re-emphasising that public safety and victim rights must govern every board decision.
The DCS is now expected to provide quarterly progress reports detailing vacancy resolutions and operational compliance.
“The department must fast-track the filling of outstanding board vacancies. These issues do not have to wait for legislation. The committee expects clear timelines, accountability and quarterly reporting as these reforms move forward,” Ramolobeng added.
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